Introduction
If you love cooking from scratch or prepping ingredients at home, you know how frustrating it can be to use multiple tools to get the job done. From grinding meat for burgers to slicing vegetables for stir-fries, the task can be tedious, and the results often aren’t consistent. Enter the KitchenAid Food Grinder + Prep Slicer/Shredder (KSM2VSGA) attachment bundle, designed to handle these tasks easily, bringing professional-level efficiency and versatility to your home kitchen. But does it live up to the KitchenAid reputation? Let’s look into the details.
Retails around $100 – 150
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Ease of usE
4.5/5
price/valUE
4/5
Key Specs at a Glance
The KSM2VSGA is a stand mixer attachment that integrates seamlessly with KitchenAid’s stand mixers. It doesn’t have its own motor, as it operates using the power hub of your KitchenAid mixer, making it a convenient and space-saving option.
- Items Included: (1) Food grinder, (1) Food tray, (1) Fine grinding plate, (1) Coarse grinding plate, (1) Food pusher, (1) Slicer/Shredder attachment, (1) Slicing blade, (1) Coarse shredding blade, (1) Medium shredding blade, (1) 2-in-1 Food pusher, (1) storage case.
- Mixer Integration: Connects to any household KitchenAid Stand Mixer’s power hub
- Motor: Leverages the stand mixer’s power.
- Material: Made of a combination of plastic and metal (with metal blades for the grinder and shredder).
- Dimensions: Compact, fitting neatly with your KitchenAid mixer without overwhelming your countertop.
- Weight: Relatively light but durable for its purpose.
- Warranty: Typically backed by a 1-year warranty, though this may vary depending on your region.
KitchenAid KSM2VSGA Build Quality
The KSM2VSGA attachment features KitchenAid’s signature premium design—sleek, professional, and durable. Constructed mainly from durable plastic with stainless steel blades, the attachments feel sturdy but not overly industrial in appearance.
The food grinder features strong metal construction with stainless steel grinding plates that seem solid and long-lasting. The grinder’s metal auger is a key feature, ensuring it withstands heavy use without wearing out. The metal parts resist rust.
The KitchenAid Slicer/Shredder features three blades, offering endless slicing and shredding possibilities. This makes it easy to add freshly sliced or shredded ingredients, such as carrots, cabbages, potatoes and cucumbers, to all of your favorite salads, entrees, sides and more.
The attachment seamlessly connects with the KitchenAid stand mixer using its power hub. It is designed to fit securely without wobbling, ensuring stability during use. Since the power for the attachment comes from the stand mixer itself, the noise level is minimal compared to standalone appliances, making it relatively quiet during use.
Available exclusively in a white/stainless steel finish, which coordinates well with most KitchenAid mixer colors.
Power and Capabilities
Power Hub Integration
While the KSM2VSGA doesn’t have its own motor, it uses the motor of your KitchenAid stand mixer through the power hub to grind, shred, and slice. The performance depends mainly on the power of your KitchenAid mixer, and performance varies with motor strength:
- 300–325 watt mixers handle all attachments well, though they may slow down with very tough grinding tasks.
- 575+ watt mixers provide effortless operation across all attachments and food types.
The slicer/shredder requires minimal power, operating effectively even on entry-level models.
KitchenAid Food Grinder
The main feature of this pack is the food grinder, which comes with both fine and coarse grinding plates. The grinder works well for processing fresh meat for burgers and meatloaf with fresh ingredients. The coarse plate handles chunky textures, while the fine plate provides consistent results for sausages. The fine and coarse grinding plates make it versatile for:
- 3mm Fine: Ideal for sausages, breadcrumbs, nut butters
- 6mm Coarse: Ideal for burgers, salsas, relishes
KitchenAid Slicer/Shredder
This component is great for processing large quantities of vegetables and cheese. It makes it easy to create even slices of cucumbers or potatoes, shred cheese for pizzas, or prepare coleslaw mix in seconds. The three-blade options provide genuine versatility for:
- 3mm slicing blade: Ideal for cucumber salads and uniformly sliced vegetables.
- 4mm medium shredding: Ideal for cheese and firm vegetables like carrots.
- 6mm coarse shredding: Excellent for cabbage, potatoes, and other large-volume shredding tasks.
Limitations
For heavy-duty grinding (bones or very dense vegetables), a dedicated grinder/shredder works better. The shredder’s feed tube is ideal for medium-sized vegetables (e.g., whole carrots). Larger items (such as big heads of cabbage) need to be pre-cut.
Ease of Use
Operating the KSM2VSGA is straightforward, especially for those familiar with KitchenAid mixers. The control layout is simple, with speed adjustments handled directly on the mixer. Switching between tasks (grinding, slicing, shredding) is seamless, as the attachments lock securely into place.
However, there may be a slight learning curve for first-time users, especially when attaching the grinder or changing discs. The food grinder is the most intuitive, while the slicer/shredder requires understanding which blade works best for different types of food. Once you get the hang of it, though, the process becomes very efficient.
Cleaning & Maintenance
KitchenAid KSM2VSGA Cleanup
One of the main benefits of the KSM2VSGA is its easy disassembly for cleaning. Each attachment disassembles into its component parts without the need for tools. The food grinder separates into housing, auger, blade, and plates. The slicer/shredder separates into housing and individual blades. All blades and plates are top-rack dishwasher safe; however, the housings must be wiped by hand. It’s important to dry the parts thoroughly to prevent moisture buildup, which could cause rusting.
The food grinder’s grinding plates require thorough cleaning to remove all meat residue, which can be a time-consuming process. The grinder’s auger benefits from a brush scrub to remove trapped fats. The slicer/shredder blades are extremely sharp and must be handled with care during cleaning.
Maintenance Tips
To ensure your KSM2VSGA attachment lasts for years, here are a few tips:
- Keep the parts dry: After washing, dry the components thoroughly to avoid rust or mold buildup.
- Lubrication: Occasionally lubricating the gears (if applicable) with food-safe oil can reduce friction and extend the life of the attachments.
- Storage: Keep it stored in a dry, cool place to avoid damage.
Regular lubrication of the food grinder’s moving parts keeps it running smoothly. Blade sharpness should be checked regularly, though replacement blades can be found through KitchenAid’s parts network.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Seamless integration with your KitchenAid stand mixer.
Versatile functionality for grinding, slicing, and shredding.
Compact and durable design.
Ease of use and cleanup.
Space-saving design eliminates the need for multiple counter appliances.
Exceptional value compared to buying attachments individually.
CONS
Feed tube size limitations mean food must be pre-cut to appropriate sizes for processing.
Size limitations if you’re planning to process large quantities frequently (though this is typical for attachments).
Plastic components may show wear over time compared to all-metal alternatives.
Who It’s Best For
This attachment is perfect for home cooks or small business owners who already have a KitchenAid stand mixer and want to expand its functions without taking up extra space in the kitchen. It’s ideal for those who often process meats, vegetables, or cheese and need a dependable tool to save time and effort.
Avoid it if you rarely use your stand mixer or prefer standalone appliances for particular tasks.
Comparison with Other Models
Compared to other KitchenAid attachments, such as the Food Processor Attachment or Vegetable Sheet Cutter, the KSM2VSGA offers more specialized functions like grinding meat, which the other attachments can’t do. It strikes a good balance between versatility and power, making it suitable for those who want a compact yet capable tool without the need for a full food processor.
Final Verdict
The KitchenAid Food Grinder + Prep Slicer/Shredder (KSM2VSGA) attachment stands out for its versatility, ease of use, and seamless compatibility with KitchenAid stand mixers. Whether you’re grinding meats, shredding vegetables, or slicing cheese, it performs these tasks with precision and efficiency. Although it isn’t a standalone device and requires a KitchenAid mixer to operate, it provides excellent value for those aiming to make the most of their kitchen tools.
Video – Food Grinder
Video – Slicer/Shredder
Credit – KitchenAid
FAQs
